Purpose & Overall Relevance for the Organization:
The Sustainability & ESG function defines the adidas direction for Sustainability and ESG for adidas in collaboration with relevant internal and external stakeholders.
As Senior Director Sustainability, you will play a critical role in defining the direction for Sustainability & ESG and you lead the execution of our environmental Sustainability program, ensure delivery against key KPIs and targets in close collaboration across all functions, such as Product Development & Sourcing, Brand, Supply Chain Management, Finance, HR, Sales, Own Operations and develop cross-functional direction, guidance and upskilling on company’s sustainability efforts. You will be responsible to ensure a successful contribution of the environmental program to the overall ESG performance of the company.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the strategic direction for the adidas environmental program with a focus on Climate and Nature related topics and secure the execution of the agreed targets in collaboration with all critical functions at adidas along the value chain, secure successful delivery of KPIs and targets, which includes our SBTI Climate targets, our Sourcing Environmental plan and our commitments to Nature, etc.
- Lead and ensure successful implementation of environmental-related ESG regulations affecting adidas today and in the future in collaborations with respective functions.
- Develop cross-functional senior leadership alignment, direction and guidance on company’s longer-term environmental sustainability ambitions on key topics such as decarbonization, nature (biodiversity, water) and circularity and and ensure compliance with regulation. Create and own clear sustainability vision and strategy for the coming years.
- Lead industry engagement to tackle the biggest challenges that need industry collaboration. Influence and shape solutions to be adapted. Ensure adidas needs are covered and set up for success by pro-actively shaping the industry discussions.
- Represent adidas internally and externally as a spokesperson on our environmental sustainability efforts. This includes conversation with investors, media and other stakeholders.
- Manage memberships to environmental alliances and industry partnerships
- Develop measurable environmental targets and KPIs. Drive and execute related initiatives, track and report on progress.
- Lead implementation of solutions to enable environmental data management and reporting at scale to enable required reporting and measuring according to regulation.
- Lead internal engagement to ensure the organization is clear and upskilled about the sustainability direction, roles and responsibilities and KPIs.
- Manage and build an international high-performance team by providing performance objectives and feedback, addressing development needs, implementing training plans and structuring the team for optimal impact.
Key Relationships:
- Product Development & Sourcing and Materials
- Legal and Governmental Affairs Department
- Corp. Communication internal/external and Investor Relations
- Brand: Innovation, Creation and Coms
- Tech, Supply Chain Management Global Brand: Strategy, Innovation, Brand Marketing
- Finance
- SEA
- Internal Audit/Controls
- Sales; Market Representatives and Channels
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Profound technical expertise in sustainability management and track record in delivering sustainability programs
- In-depth understanding of sustainability challenges of our industry
- Strong analytical skills
- Pragmatic approach of leading programs/projects and proven track record in leading large-scale initiatives
- Well-established network to external organisations, innovation hubs and solution providers
- Ability to take a strategic view, bigger picture view and action results
- Ability to positively challenge the status quo
- Strong communication skills (verbally and in writing) with multiple stakeholders
- Inclusive mindset; ability to create buy-in and build common denominators
- Team player who empowers creativity from the bottom-up
- High ethical integrity
Requisite Education and Experience / Minimum Qualifications:
- Four-year university degree, preferably master’s degree in environmental science, CSR, engineering or related fields
- Minimum 12 years’ work experience in sustainability ideally with a focus on decarbonization, innovation, circularity and biodiversity
- Minimum 6 years proven leadership of diverse & global teams and projects in a matrix organization
adidas celebrates diversity, supports inclusiveness and encourages individual expression in our workplace. We do not tolerate the harassment or discrimination toward any of our applicants or employees. We are an equal opportunity employer.